Woods: Their Types & Uses
The ancient Celtic tree alphabet was used by the followers of the
Old Religion to construct a language of the trees that could be used
in conjunction with the occult symbolism of each of the trees. When
translated from the ancient tongue we find the following trees
referenced often: Elm, Birch, Hazel, Oak, Aspen, Alder, Ivy, Yew,
Rowan, Ash, Pine, Willow, Elder, and Spindle. These trees, along
with others, will be covered.
From early times, there have been the sacred groves and the
sacred tree. Individual trees of particular species have been
revered, the kind varying with the divine force represented. Oak
and Cedar are obvious examples of father emblems as Willow and Hazel
are mother emblems. The androgynous Pine and the world bearing Ash
also have their place in our folklore.
The symbolism of the woods are very important in the
construction of any magical tool. A complete description of the
various woods and their uses is impossible in a limited space but we
will cover as much as possible.
OAK - The oak tree is the tree of Zeus, Jupiter, Hercules, The Dagda
(The Chief of the Elder Irish gods), Thor and all other Thunder
Gods. The royalty of the Oak needs no enlarging upon. The Oak is
the tree of endurance and triumph, and like the Ash, is said to
count the lightings' flash. The Oak is a male wood which is ideal
for the construction of any tool that needs the male influence such
as Athames, certain wands and staffs. The midsummer fire is always
Oak and the need fire is always kindled in an Oak log.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Endurance, triumph, strength, power, dominion,
prosperity, sacrifice, guardian, liberator.
BIRCH - With the exception of the mysterious elder, the Birch is the
earliest of the forest trees. The Birch is used extensively in
cleansing rituals. Throughout Europe, Birch twigs are used to expel
evil spirits. Birch rods are also used in rustic rituals to drive
out the spirits of the old year.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Controlled by the Lunar influences. Birth,
healing, Lunar workings, and protection.
HAZEL - The Hazel is a tree of wisdom. In England, all the
knowledge of the arts and sciences were bound to the eating of Hazel
nuts. Until the seventeenth century, a forked Hazelstick was used
to divine the guilt of persons in cases of murder and theft. We
have retained the practice of divining for water and buried treasure.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Wisdom, intelligence, inspiration, wrath.
ALDER - The Alder is the tree of fire. In the battle of the trees,
the Alder fought in the very front line. It is described as the
very "battle witch" of all woods, the tree that is hottest in the
fight. from the alder, you can make three different dyes, red from
its bark, green from its flowers, and brown from its twigs; this
symbolizes the elements of fire, water and earth. The Alder wood is
the wood of the witches. Whistles may be made of this wood tosummon
and control the four winds. It is also the ideal wood for making
the magical pipes and flutes. To prepare the wood for use, beat the
bark away with a willow stick while projecting your wishes into it.
The Alder is a token of resurrection.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Controlling the four winds, banishing and
controlling elementals, resurrection. Making magical dyes.
IVY / VINE - The Ivy was sacred to Osiris as well as to Dionysus.
Vine and Ivy come next to each other at the turn of the year, and
are jointly dedicated to resurrection. Presumably, this is because
they are the only two trees that grow spirally. The Vine also
symbolizes resurrection because its strength is preserved in the
wine.
OCCULT ASPECTS: (VINE) Faerie work, Joy, Exhilaration, Wrath,
Rebirth. (IVY) Fidelity, Constancy, Love, Intoxication.
YEW - The Yew is known as the death tree in all European countries.
Sacred to Hecate in Greece and Italy. Yew wood makes excellent
bows, as the Romans learned from the Greeks.
This strengthened the belief that Yew was connected with death. Its
use in England is recalled in Macbeth where Hecate's cauldron
contained:"... Slips of Yew, slivered in the moon eclipse. "The
Silver Fir of birth and the Yew of death are sisters. They stand
next to each other in the circle of the year and their foliage is
almost identical.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Destructive workings concerning death. Not
recommended for magical tools "...for I am the tomb to every hope.
ROWAN - The Rowan is seen as the tree of life. It is also known as
Mountain Ash, Quickbeam, The Witch or Witch Wand. In the British
Isles, Rowan is used as a protection against lightning and magical
charms of all sorts. In ancient Ireland, the Druids of opposing
forces would kindle a fire of rowan and say an incantation over it
to summon spirits to take part in the battle. The Rowan is also
used for many healing purposes. The "Quickbeam" is the tree of
quickening. Another use was in metal divining. In Ireland, a Rowan
stake was hammered through a corpse to immobilize the spirit.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Divination, healing, astral work, protection.
ASH - The Ash is sacred to Poseidon and Woden. The Ash is
considered to be the father of trees. The Ash is the tree of sea
power, or of the power resident in water. Special guardian spirits
reside in the Ash; This makes it excellent for absorbing sickness.
The spirally carved druidical wand was made of Ash for this purpose.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Sea power, karmic laws, magical potency, healing,
protection from drowning.
PINE - External symbol of life and immortality. It is one of the
few trees that are androgynous. It was also worshiped by the
ancients as a symbol of fire because of its resemblance to a spiral
of flame. It is regarded as a very soothing tree to be near.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Strength, life and immortality, rejuvenation
WILLOW - The Willow was sacred to Hecate, Circe, Hera, and
Persephone, all death aspects of the Triple Moon Goddess, and was
often used by the Witches in Greece. The moon owns it.
Female symbol. It is the tree that loves water most and is sacred
to the Moon Goddess who is the giver of dew and moisture,
generally. The Willow is the tree of enchantment. Can be made into
a tool to make wishes come true.
OCCULT PURPOSES: Moon magic, psychic energy, healing, inspiration,
fertility
ELDER - A waterside tree, the Elder has white flowers that bloom to
their peak in midsummer (as is also true for the Rowan) thus making
the Elder another aspect of the White Goddess. The Elder is also
said to be the crucifixion tree. The inner bark and the flowers have
long been famous for their therapeutic qualities.
OCCULT ASPECTS: Witchcraft, banishment, magical art, waters of
life.
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
First 